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v PBOCEE DINGS 



NATIONAL CONVENTION 



OF T1IK 



$mtx$ of tie Vor of 1812, 



lli:i,li AT THE 



HALL OF INDEPENDENCE, 



IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, 



ON THE NINTH OF JANUARY, 1854. 



* • » » - 



PHILADELPHIA: 

BROWN'S STEAM TOWER BOOK, CARD, AND JOB PRINTING OFFICE, LEDGER BUILDINGS. 

1854. 



PROCEEDINGS 



OP TUB 



NATIONAL CONVENTION 



OF THE 



$$Mm of tl)e War of 1812, 



/ 



HEt.D AX TUE 



HALL OF INDEPENDENCE, 



IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, 



ON THE NINTH OF JANUARY, 1351. 



-*-♦►*-»- 



rilTLADELrill A: 

BROWS'8 STE.VJI TOWER BOOK, CAUD, AND JOB PRINTING OFFICF, LKDOER BUILDINGS. 

1854. 



£351 



PROCEEDINGS. 




In pursuance of public notice, the Delegates convened at Independence 
Hall, in the ('\y ofNPhiladelphia, on the 9th of January, 1854, at 1'2 
o'clock, M./ TheNqllowk^or is a list of the Delegates : 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

Boston. — Coleman Jenkins, Hon. Robert Keith, Col. S. D. Harris. 
Lexington. — Gen. Samuel Chandler, Maj. Joseph Grafton, Samuel Jones 
Munroe. 

Dorchester. — Col. Daniel Lane. 
Re/ioboth. — Capt. David Penns, Jr. 
Framington. — Lt. 13. K. Scott, Caleb Cushman. 

NEW YORK. 

Gen. Nicholas Haight, Col. John Alwaise, Rev. Peter J. Van Pelt, for 
the State of New York. 

Lieut Col. Henry Raymond, Adj. Abraham Dally, Jr., Major A. W. 
Jones, Capt. Win. Taylor, Capt. Howe, Capt. Anderson, Capt. Buttree, 
Lieut. St. John, Lieut. Quest, Lieut. Haines, Lieut. Gouge, Lieut. Fox, 
Lieut. Crawley, Lieut. Riell, Lieut. Pliyfe, Lewis W. Ryckman, Win. 
Hilton and Gilbert S. Nixon, of the Veteran Corps, of the City of New 
York. 

Tompkins County. — Col. Arthur S. Johnson. 

Sc/iencctarfi/. — Col. Peter Banker. 

Chemung. — Col. Thomas Maxwell. 

Herkimer. — Col. F. P. Bellinger. 

Livingston. — Col. Mieah Bropkes. 

Washington. — Col. Wm. Mc-Farland. 

Montgomery. — Col. Thomas Machin, Capt. Constant Brown, Lieut. 
Nathan Seely. 

Queen's. — Robert Bolton, Esq. 

Jllbanij. — Col. J. S. Van Hensselaer, Capt. Ira Jenkins, Wm. Whitney. 

Ulster. — Rev. Dr. C. D. Westbrook. 

Greene. — Col. Henry Wyneoop. 

Oswego. — Col. Sherman Ilosmer. 

Wayne. — Col. Thomas E. Dorscy, Capt. Joseph Cole, George Bowera. 

Seneca. — Arad Joy. 

Onondaga. — Capt. Elias W. Benson. 

Yates. — Col. Abner Woodworth. 

Chenango. — Martin Schenk, Asa Carpenter. 



King's. — J. J. Wanning, Theopbilus Hardenbrook, Gamaliel Ring, 
Josepb Dean, Abraham Verplanck, Martin Rice, Thomas Spencer, M. D., 
John Relyea, Israel Jones, Win. Whitney. 

NEW JERSEY. 

First Congressional District. — ('arnica. — John V\\ 5i 

Carter, Win. Hugg ! ; > Colemanj John Field, Thdi He:!, James 

Donnell, Simon Sparks, Alexander ': / 

S iL i ('<> />}{;/.— Julin Nelson, Benjamin Darlington, J-oViah Ale, Joshua 
Allen, Joseph Kille, Adam 11. Sickler, Hei on, Cor- 

nelius Burroughs, J< seph Humphreys, Aaron Pagett, Jacob \\Ti^y, An- 
drew Smith. 

Jacob Peterson, John Brannan, John Kimball, Samuel V>. Stafford, Joel 
Blakeslee, Robert W. Sparks, John Harris, Jonathan Applegate, James 
Moistell, John Smith, Joseph Moore. 

Sussrx County. — R. R. Morris, Matthew Miller, Joseph Moore, Wm. 
Cross ■ , ' 'hai L< s ( raskill. 

Second Congressional District. — Wollaston Redman, Samuel Wooley, 
John 1). Hester, Charles' Green, John Smith, Daniel Baker, William 

Sr., % Isaiah R. Downie, Samuel M'Clurg, Ralph Green, 
Yard, Sr. 

Burlington County. — Ptaey 13. Kirkbridc, Jr. 

PENNSYLVANIA, 

Adams County. — 1H it. 

Allegheny County. — Capt. James Whitaker, Capt. Charles Cai 
Oapt. John 1>. Davis, Major John Willock, Col. John Davis, Moj. Win. 
Trovillo, John Rudy, Col. K. Trovillo. 

Armstr tunty. — Gen. Robert Orr. 

]h '• < ounty. — Col. Joshua Logan. 

ford County. — Joseph W. Tate. 

Berks County. — John Heller, George Goodman, Samuel Brannir, David 
Medary, John Van Horn, Capt. David Marshall, Mr. Weaver, Michael 
Raefsnider, John P d, Daniel Hughes. 

Butler County. — Charles C Sullivan, Samuel M Lane. 

Blair County. — G ['J b, Daniel Furry, Daniel Kramer, 

('hail'.- Cannon. 

j]> ■ (nty. — Gen John Davis, Col. David Mar pie, Hon. Andrew 
Apple, Oapt. Phineas Kelly, Col. \» in. Addis, David Riale, Esq., Lemon 
Banes, K q., G Lood, Lewis S. Coryell, David Jones, Abni. 11 

land Ifisq., Capt. J Horner, John U'Daniel, Wm. Blair, Gen. Wm. 

M. White, Josepb Carroll, Isaac Taylor, Jonathan Kwcrs Peter Lewis, 
John Tatosman, Jacob Knight, Geo. Keller, Capt. C. Overpeok, John 
Strohm, David Naylor, Johu Ashton, John Hern, Peter Kellar, Peter 

r, John Berger, Win. Kutherford, Win. Au 
Jno. i -•> Wm. " . Dennis \^ 

John Holoouib, Emai a, John A. Smith, Amos Addis, Wm. 



- 



Caffey, Amos Torbert, Jacob Fryling, Wm. Shaffer, .Martin Shive, Henry 
Grove, Joshua B. Golven, James Collingsgrove, James Cummins, Frederick 
Hillpot, Isaac Booskirk, George Lear', Jesse Slack, Jacob Lewis, John 
Hartzell, Wm. IT. Slack, Isaac Hogeland, Henry Garver, John I otbwell, 
Valentine Hulsbzer, ('apt. Wm. Hart; Nelson Coffin, Daniel Roberts, 
Win. Car r, Aaron Coulten, Conrad Shearer, Jacob Xost, John Rciglc, 
John M'lntyro, Henry Overpeck, Henry Good, Joseph I. car. .Jacob 
Trauger, Richard Rialc, Wm. Cathers, Geoi Mill, Jo Mitchell, 

David Johnson, Michael lloft, .1 hn Raisner, Peter Mickley, Elijah Op- 
dye, Jacob Bysher, Benjamin Corson, Philip Hoffman, William Scott, 
John Swope, Britton Larzalere, Wm. Caffey, John Morris, Frederick 
Berber, Mason James, John W. Wynkoop, William Caffey. 

Cumberland County. — Abel Kinney, Andrew Frazer, Wm. Linn, Gen. 
W. Poulke, M. Holcombe, Gen Thomas C. Miller. 

Centre County. — ('"1. John Hasson 

Columbia County. — Robert ("lark. 

Chesc r County. — Major Josiah Phillips, Major Charles Peck, John II. 
Brinton, Esqi, Arthur Andrews, Es<[ , Capt. Daniel Sinquett, John G„. 
Powell. Gen George Hartman, Capt. G. Wetherby, Isaac Davis, Esq., 
Maj. John Rapp, C. Wigton, J. 0. Cooper, Baltzer Essock,. Patrick Par- 
rel y, .James Davis, Abraham Gruhb. 

Dauphin County. — Sam'l Ilolman, David J. Krause, Dr. John Heisely, 
David Harris, John Maglauchlin, Gen. John Forstcr, George Adams, Johu 
Stahl, George J. Heisely, George Beatty, John M. Porsfer, Thomas L. 
"Wilson, James R. Boyd, Andrew Krause. Samuel Miller, Michael Rupley, 
William Bostich, Phillip Stimmel, John Shannon, George M'Knight, Wil- 
liam Allison, Capt. John Kennedy, William Dover, James Corbett, Rev. 
\V. R. Dewitt, Isaac Rutter, George Dyer Butter. 

Delaware County. — Hon. George G. Leiper, Joseph Naglee, David 
Hays, George Litzenburg, Major Levi R ynolds, John Green, Ezokiel 
Loveland, Hugh P. Lloyd, Jeremiah C. Brown, Aaron Johnson. 

Elk County. — Col. James L. Gillies. 

Franklin County. — Christian Gleim W. J. Burley, Daniel Scilor. 

Huntingdon County. — C. Wigton, J. C. Cooper. 

La • County. — Capt. John Musser, ('apt. John II. Duchman, Co!. 

Samuel Shirk, ('apt. Samuel |). Miller, Emanuel C. Reigart, Geo. II. 
Bomberger, Henry Eichholz, Win : icob Reese, John A. Mttsser- 

kop, Col. Thomas Houston, Jacob Albright, Capt. George Hetzelw?rger, 
Henry Burns, Jacob Frailey, Sen., John Bomberger, Robert McClnre, 
>ert D. Carson, George Kramer, Reuben Welshans, William Frickj 
Matthias Graeff, Augustus T. Ivulm, Peter Stryker, Henry Lyman, Jos. 
White, Jacob Garber, Col. \V . S. Amweg, Philip Leonard, Dr. Dietrich 
Pahnestock, T. B. Udell. 

Li County. — Hon. John itt, Robert B. M , Esq.*, 

Hon. John Ferguson, Major W. W Taylor. 

L - County. — Adam Heiker, Samuel Horn. 

Luzerne Coun'ty. — Zephaniah Knapp. 

Lycoming County — Henry Wormleii'. 



Northampton Count)/. — W. L. G-arren. 

Northumberland County. -^-William Nesbitt, Jacob Bright. 

Perr-y County. — John Rice, Michael Donnelly, George Robinson. 

Schuylkill Count)). — Col. Jacob Huntzinger, Capt. Peter An rand t, John 
Hip] le, Jacob R. Bright, Win. Nice, Benjamin ]'<■:•<. Col. John 1'. Hobart, 
Charles Frailey, Major Isaac . W B. Potts, Michael Fritz, Daniel 

Karcher, Michael R. Hower, Jacob Minnich, C. Looser, Col. Jobn<"!. Les- 
sig, John Bonewitz, Col. Daniel Krebs, George HartJ ' pt. William 
B. Lebo, Gen. John K. Clement, D. II. Go dwin, Samuel Ryland, Hon. 6. 
I). Leib. 

Mifflin County — Col. Joseph Bowers, William Henry, Dr. .i aepfa 
Henderson, W. P. Elliott, Esq., William Hoffman. 

Montgomery County. — John Harvey, Jos ph W. Knife, Joseph Kuch- 
ncr, Hubert E. Hobart, John Buzzard, John Brooks, Dr. Dewees, James 
West. 

Union County. — Hon. Nor Middleswarth. 

Washington County. — Win. Johnston 

York Count)/ — Dillsbury. — Hun. Henry Logan, Aaron G. Blackford, 
William Nailor. 

York Borough. — Lieut. Jacob Barnitz, John Moody. David Re Ber, 
Moni.s J. Gardiner, James McConkey, Frederick Metzgar and Jacob 
Glessner. 

Philadelphia City and County. — J. B. Sutherland, Col. C. C. Diddle, 
John Swift, G orge Riston, -Col. John Thompson John C. Montgomery, 
Jacob II. Fisler, Peter Hay, George Enierick, John M. Coleman, David 
Lapsley, Adam Miller, A. L. Burkbart, John Link, Thomas Clark. < . 3. 
Riche, James II. Young, John Hazard, Anthony Sevfert, Francis Coopor, 
George Benners, George Hergeshcimer, Henry Billingion, John Brock, 
Henry Harberger, Fred'k Harler, Thomas Wallace, Isaac Will, Thomas 
Murdoch, Jacob Snider, Thomas 1. Wharton, G . y, John 

Foulkrod, Daniel Henderson, X. B. Eldred, Thos 1'. Azpell, Capt Win. 
II. Hart, Turner Morehead, John 11. Frick, Joseph Yeager, Joseph S. 
Riley, Tobias Beehler, George Stout, Wni. Barger, David Winebrener, 
Benjamin Chew, W. Dilwortb, Joshua Bethell, VVm. Crout, John St* .- 
man, Jacob S. Wonder, John H. Sch . ■• G ge Cadwalader, G 
Roberl Patte Bon, Thomas ( oats, Henry Meyers Robert 'I' Conrad, John 
Rupert, Daniel Tyson, W.J. Leiper, Isaac Will, John K . Henry 

Graeff, George Westerberger, G< W. Richards, John Rutherford, 

Lemuel Paynter, Thomas Brook, VVm. Currey, [saiah Caully, Valentino 
Burkhart, Job Huston, Jacob Frick, Charles B .Roes, Wm Bozorth,John 
M. Bockius, Wm. M. Evans, John M. Brown, I . Lawrence 

Bhuster, Goo. W. Ash, Jacob Alter, J • ph 8. Kite, Michael W.i 
Thomas M.Scott, Jacob Sbeetz, Jacob Frisniuth, John Stallman, L U. 
Judson, W. B. Bmerick, Charles S. Co*e, Jaiues J. Barclay, George N. 
Baker, P. S. Fontanges, J. Durang, Cornelius Stager, Daniel Jeffries, 
Miohael M'Closky, Fred'k Erdman, George P Go oWn, Jacob Juvenal, 
Charles S , J. M. Linnard, Hiram \;i< , ¥< kes Saurman, G 

Landall, W. D. Geyer, Cornelius Stevenson, Josiah Randall, Chalkley 



Baker, \\ r . T. Elder, Stacy Bancroft, Wm. Ent, Philip Poulan, Philip R. 
Schuyler, Michael Sager, Joseph Barry, Isaac Jones, George Mcllvaine, 
Capt. Robert Hardie, John S. Warner, Andrew Morrison, Jacob Head- 
man, Andrew Headman, Matthew Newkirk, Win. Pinchin, John M. Scott, 
Win. llawle, Hartman Kulin, Dr. Wm. Gibson, Col. Robert Carr, Col. 
James Page, Lieut. Hesser, Cornelius Brower, Edmund McDonald, S. D. 
Sagors, J. J. Brcban, Conrad Merkle, George Geyer, Daniel Sinkct, Owen 
Owens, David Bartram, Martin Derr, Wm. Beattes, Henry Franks, Dan- 
iel Lawton, John Williams, Samuel Eastburn, J. Burk, Robert Scott, John 
McKeever, Peter Snyder, Peter Sbronk, James Carlon, Jacob Juvenal, 
Jacob Leidy, Joseph Manuel, Theodore Schreiber, Joseph B. Hutchinson, 
Robert W. Solly, John P. Gaul, James McDonough, Martin Thayer, 
Thomas Britton, Jesse Bowers, Samuel Hubbell, James Singleton, II. P. 
Mitchell, George Jeffries, Joseph Lonton, Wm. McCartney, Thomas S. 
Fortescue, Anthony Frazer, John Meyer, David Earnest, Wm. Wintercast, 
B. H. Springer, Wm. Delany, Jacob Likes, James McKenney, Thomas 
Miller, Henry Myers, F. G. Smith, Wm. S. Smith, Thomas Tully, Abra- 
ham Snyder/Muscs Hilt, John Hilt, Richard Gardener, Charles William- 
son, Wm. Mullen, Geo. C. Clinton, Peter Burkett, Andrew L. Kern, 
Edwin Lindsay, Philip Cope, Lewis Desabay, Johu Maley, Jacob Smith, 
Clement A. Buckley, James Porter, John White, John West, Conrad 
Leidy, John Grier/john Fletcher, Francis Degorge, Henry Habermchl, 
John McKay, Thomas Hopkins, A. Hildebrand, Peter Riley, Joseph Elton, 
Henry Kuril, Gabriel Dull, Patrick Sharp, Wm. Abbott, John White, 
John' Gross, Charles Durang, John Henk, John Lewis, John Mooney, 
David Kelter, Charles B. Hoffner, Daniel C. Ellis, Samuel Rees, Levi 
Reynolds, John Brown, Jacob Moscr, Fred'k Slough, Robert O'Neill, 
Luke McGrlue, John Rosett, Isaac V. Culin, Joseph Lower, Michael Bro- 
die, David Keisam, Capt. J. R. C. Smith, Dr. Thomas C. Bunting, Lssachar 
Price, John Haas, Joseph Craycroft, Francis Lassher, Joseph Shallcross, 
John Beckett, Samuel Meredith, Luke Williams, Wm. Ritter, John S. 
Meyers, Wm. Adair, James F. Calbreath, Geo. C. Murdock, Alvah Clark, 
Aaron Bockius, Alexander C. Moran, Wm Ilalfman, George Shingle, 
James Lewis, Solomon Walls, Richard Mannery, Jacob Keyser, Hubert 
Parham, Benj. Miles, Nathan Pemberton, Thomas Temple, Michael Bright, 
John Hollahan, Wm. Musser, Capt. Oldcuberg, John Mcf'owan, William 
Gravenstine, Jacob Rink. Jacob Kinnard, Alexander Williams, Peter 
Linck, Wm. Pidgeon, William D. Kennedy, Charles Showaker, Joseph 
Hallowell, Jeremiah P. Botes, Thomas McKinley, Abraham Wilt, James 
Arthur, Capt. Maison, Sam'l Beatty, Jacob Smith, Jesse Snpplee, Bein. 
Hutchinson, Wm. Colladay, Geo. Beyers, Israel Jones, John .Maxwell, 
Charles Iluverstiek, Wm. Lctlbrd, Geo. Crider,Capt. .1. S. Van Dyke, Win. 
Hener, Thomas Larcomb, George Miller, J. P. Tutton, James C. Erwin, 
Stephen Taylor, M. X. Carpenter, Francis McManus, Col. W. Debeaui're, 
Samuel Evans, John Dowding, J. Abrams, W. F. Brown, W. P. Parker, 
G. W. Deveny, Clark Goldsmith, Wm. Jones, John Pollard, David Snyder, 
Joseph Smith, Anthony Freed, Robert Childs, Peter Eltonhead, Charles 
Hight, Joseph Rhinehart, John Shermer, Alexander Lane, Charles Kitchen, 



8 

James Pidgoon, John Koiuer. Abraham Strong, Frederick Hailer, John 
Walker, Jan.es Jeffries, Thoi reet, Wm. Carlisle, Edward R 

Stephen Martin, Conrad Keller, Wm. Hay, -Val- 

I ton, Jacob Keesey, George Cress, Wm. B ead,Wm. Alfoi 

Wm. Carlin, James Linton, Wm. Hansell, C. Obalfant, John C. Brian, 
Thomas Sandford, Ed. Smith, John Bosbart, Henry Snyder, John B 
Wm. Rickey, Levin M Coston, Wm. Richardson, John Davis, .John 
rlj, John Boyer, Wm. Atkinson, John McFerran, Thoiuas Brant, 
Michael Brady, Edward M. Tha tton, R. Ii. B ... 

Aabburner, Caj t. John Roy, P. E. Euckell, John Dollman. 

DELAWARE. 

Second Company Artillery. — John McClnng, Allan ' Abra- 

ham Scbrader, Juhu II. Washington. 

Third Company Artillery. — David C. Wilson, Benjamin II. Springer, 
James L. Devou, James Fox. 

First Company Light Infantry. — Frederick Leonard, Alexand I : er, 
Gen James Wolf, • I tastings, Dr. John Simms, and William Simmons. 

Major John Jones, of St. George's llundra Deakyne, 

yflppoquinmink Hundred; and Capt. James N. Sutton, of Red Liu/i Hun- 
dred; John Van Dyke, Smyrna. 

Caleb Wolcott, Thomas Rumford, David Tweedie, Jesse Hastings, John 
Jones, Langford Herring. 

MARYLAND. 

Defenders of Baltimore — Gen. A. Miltenberger, I A. E. Warner, 

Hon. J. Smith Hbllins, CoL N. Brewer, Sterling Thomas, George Rog 
James C. Wilson, John Ijims, John C. Han. Col. John Dutton, Colonel 
Elijah Stansbnry, Je - '.. Haas, Isaac Boll, Charles K. B John 

W. Walker, Major Joshua Dry den, Gen. Jos. B , Capt John F. 

llos^, Capt. John Reese, Dr. John M. William 

Harford ( . — Jolm W. Stump, J aahoo, Dr. John K. Sap- 

piogton, George rteati Ilijah Lewis, Henry Barnes, John Wareham, 

Hugh Ji tephen J, Thompson, Ainos Barn . 

Carroi'l (.'aunty. — Basil Hay den, J er, Jacob E 

Fr in'y. — Capt. G rge W. Ent, A. B. Hanson, Samuel 

mack, Jacob Faubel, Dr. Llo^ d i 

Kent County. — bainuel Sapping I 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 

Col. JohnS. Williams, Gen. John M. RPCalla, Capt. G P. De 

| Major G Peter, Dr. ^ m. d> 

kton, Hon. -I ' nlloh, Major G M'JNeir, 

I lallaher, I. R. Johnson, Esq., 

i. R. C. Weiffhtman. 



c 



9 

VIRGINIA. 

Berkley County. — John Jamicson, Barton Campbell, John MeCleary, 

George Tabb, Kunkel. 

Strmton County. — George Eskridge, Robert Key. 
Jlccomuc County. — Parker Trader. 

LOUISIANA. 
JVew Orleans. — Col. W. Christy, Gen; Plauche, Gen. Lacoste, Col. M : . 
While, Oapt. R. Spedden, A. Fernandez, Esq., E. J. Forstall, Esq., of 
New Orleans; Thomas Mellon, Esq., of Philadelphia; John Routb, Esq., 
of Tensas, La. ; Judge Joues, of Covington, La. 

MISSOURI. 

Gen. Nathan Banney. 

TEXAS. 
Matagorda. — Seth Ingram. 

OHIO. 
"Win. Conditt, Joseph II. Larwell, Dr. Brainerd. 

KENTUCKY. 
CoJ. A. R. Woolley. 

Gen. Adam Diller, of Pa., called the Convention to order, and upon' 
his motion, Hon. Joel B. Sutherland was unanimously appointed 
Chairman. 

Rev. Pr. P. F. MATER, of Pa., opened the meeting with a very appro- 
priate and impressive prayer. 

After which, the Convention was permanently organized by the appoint- 
ment of the following officers. 

President. — Hon. Joel B. Sutherland, Pa. 

Vice Presidents. — Gen. Nicholas Haight, N. Y., Major George IV 
ML, Gen N Ranney, Mo., .John Jainieson, Va., John S. Gallagher, Va., 
Major M. Clark. N. J., Thomas Mellon, La.. Wm. M. Condit, Ohi 
J. M. (lilies. Pa., Gen. W. Pbulke, Pa., Col. L. C Judson, Pa.. CoK 
John \V. Mickle, N. J., Col. Daniel Lane, Mass., Col. John S. Willi i 
D. C, Hon. Seth Ingram, Texas, <ien. Thos. U. Miller, I a.. Ab ney, 

111 , Hon. (George G. Leiper, Pa., Lieut. Barton Campbell, Va., P. H. 
Springer, Pel , John Quinn, Matter U. S. Navy, Gen. John M. M "i 'alia, 
K\ ., Jacob Scheetz, Pa., Gen John Davis, Pa , Gen. Robert <>n-, Pa., 
Col. A. D. Houghton, X. J., Lewis S. Coryell, Pa., Col. Whitecar, Pa., 
Hon. James Stryker, N. J. 

Secretaries. — Francis B. Stockb n, P. C , Gen. Adam Diller, Pa., Peter 
Hay, Pa., George 11. Bomb rger, Pa, James C. Wilson, Md , Stac_ i;. 
Kirkbride, Y J., Lieut. Allan Thomson, Pel , J. S Van Ren 
Y., John Alwaise, N. V.. Col. T. 15 Billinger, John 11. '•' 

Chaplains.^?. F.*Mayer, P.P., Pa. P. J. Van Pelt. P. P., .. V., Lev. 
Dr. Pe Witt, Pa., and Lev. Pr. Weatbrook, N. Y. 







10 

On mot inn of Major Tr.TKR, of Maryland, ordered, that a fine bearing 
the motto of " Free Trade <m<l Sailors' Rights" be procured and dtspl i 
during the sitting of the Convention, as that was the one under which the 
War of 1812 was conducted. 

The President, Judge Sutherland, expressed his thanks for the honor con- 
ferred on him, which he had not courted, as he wished chiefly to present 
the resolutions. He hud been exceedingly solicitous that the Convention 
should be beld in Independence Hall, the place where our f'atl, . and 

where t! i of liberty was first heard. Who were better entitled to 

convene there than those justly called the soldiers of the second War of 
Independence ! England bad, kumediately after the War of the Revolu- 
tion, shown a haul: ifter this fair land, and, after bearing with her 
insults for a long time, we had to declare War. 

Mr. Calhoun had said in Congress, that if this was not done, after the 
repeated aggravate os we had endured, we should speedily lose the liber- 
ties we had gained. The War of 181'J. was one entirely of principle. The 
Western States were not immediately interested in the questions that led 
to it, but they, like the rest of the country, were determined to sustain 
the principles involved. Before he left this Temple of Liberty, reared by 
gallant men, whose names would remain in history until the end of time, 
PrJTfH advert to the proposed monument to be erected by the original 
•'States in Independence Square. He was determined to push this measure 
to the utmost of bis ability. 

Those whose memories it was thus intended to perpetuate, did not need 
it for themselves, but it was to Bhow to our sons, and to our 
60 that they might kneel at its base, and swear eternal fealty to that I 
Btitution formed and maintained by their forefathers. Hancock, I ranklin, 
rson, and the whole glorious host of worthies, demanded it from us 
in behalf of posterity. This Hall had awakened the spirit of liberty all 

r the world. Even Englaud herself had fell the humanizing iufli 
of our I eclaration of Independence, and had modified her laws to conform 
more to its spirit, and the cry of Liberty will yet shake tl e thrones and 
of the oppress,, r all over the world. He fell that they 
i is | v entitle 1 to meet in this sacred place, and he wished the reso- 
lutions proposed to be read and adopted th 

Such being the universal desire, the President then read the most im- 
portant resolutions, and they were unanimously adopt 

Haiout, of New York, tl Vi< 1' ridenfc, whom we reg 

ted ■ king in such ill health, wished to 6e indulged in a few re- 

He w.-nld speak only in Independence Hall, where he had in view 
the old bell that firsi proclaimed liberty through the land. He had -one 
hand in band with the President, (Dr. Sutherland,) in endeavoring to bring 
about the object aimed at by this Convention, and had lal • hard 

that he had ruined bis health in the , it be was determined to per- 

. re to t! nd. The General's address to his old fellow soldiers was 

touching and effect i . e. 

The I' tl JIDENT then read the following »' • which were unani- 

i ipted : 



s 






11 

Resolved, That the Government of the United States should be just 
before it is generous, ami that in our judgment it will be time enough for 
Congress, after it lias given its bounty to those who served their country, 
to go in search of new recipients of its favor. 

Resolved, That if Congress had given the defenders of their country in 
the war of 1 >S 1 1> forty acres of land, when their service was performed 
forty years ago, that grant would have been much more valuable than the 
grant of one hundred and sixty acres, now asked for by those who still 
remain of that gallant band, or their widows and children. 

Resolved, That inasmuch as the Marines have received one hundred and 
sixty acres of land under the bounty laws, each of the Sailors who fought 
by the side of the Marines in the "same battles, is entitled to a similar 
amount of land, and that Congress be requested to alter the Bounty Law- 
Act so as to provide alike for those who served on water and these who 
served on land. 

Resolved, That it be recommended to Congress to grant one hundred 
and sixty acres of land to those who were confined in the loathsome Dart- 
moor and other foreign prisons during the war of 1812: and in case of 
their death, that their widows shall receive the said land ; and where there 
is no widow, that the bounty shall go to the surviving children. 

Resolved, That it also be asked of Congress to give 160 acres of land 
to the few remaining men and the widows and children of such as are dead, 
who were prisoners at Tripoli, and who were made to work daily as beasts 
of burden, under the brutal lash of their task-masters for two whi ie years. 

Resolved, That in fixing upon the time and place for the assembling of 
this Convention, composed, as it is, of the defenders of their country, who 
served in the second war of Independence, we believe the anniversary 
of the battle of New Orleans to be the most appropriate time, and 
the Hall of Independence an eminently judicious place. 

Resolved, That with feelings of the deepest regret we lament, on the 
present occasion, the absence of the many gallant defenders i .' our c< m- 
mou country, who have gone to their last account, and to whom essen- 
tially belongs the distinguished merit of having nobly sustained the 
nation's honor on the sea, the lakes, and the land, iu the war of 1812, 
second only to the war of the Revolution. 

Resolved, That we who still linger on the shores of time, and who are 
assembled here in the memorable Hall of Independence, exti i. 1 to each 
other the right hand of fellowship, and trust that from this hour onward, 
till the close of our existence, as brothers in arms, we will maintain a 
firm and cordial intercourse with each other, and in so doing that we will 
never overlook nor forget the aged, infirm aud poor widows of our brave 
associates in arms. 

Resolved, That as many of the officers and soldiers of the war of 1S12, 
and their widows, are old and in destitute circumstances, ( ongresa be 
requested, at its present session, to extend the benefits id" the same 
pension system that the soldiers and widows, of the \\ ar of the Devolu- 
tion have so long enjoyed, to the soldiers and widows of the second \\ ar 
of Independence, and that the thanks of this Convention be tendered to 






12 

B i John Wentworth, of Illinois, for bis early movement in the pre- 
sent ffect this desirable and patriotic obji 

fl . That we tend' ial thanks to the Hon. Mr. Hamlin, 

of tie , at the 1 lion 

to the pension claims of the soldiers and wid of the W ar 
of 181:2, and that it he recommended to C s so to modify the pension 

hnv<, that in gra invalid pensions, the pen-inns shall Cf)mmenoe or 

date at the time the wounds may ' en received, or the di in- 

curred, while in the line of doty in the service of the Qniti 

■/, That meeting, as round where our 

greal land e rtb their Declaration of I ndence, 

and rememl bat we have descended from the R ivolutionar - 

that assisted in winning the freedom of America from Briti ge, 

laim to have done no more than the nation had a right to expect at 
our bands, by goingforth to battle against old England that at 1 so 

soon to bring us hick' to foreign subjugation, from which our gallant 
fathers had so recently emancipated us. 

R . That with the view of doing full justice to the vast inter ■ - 

we represent, and of un lerstanding the condition of our friends in every 
portion of the Union, it is respectfully 1 bo the I the 

War of 1812, to form a Society in each of the States of the Republic, i 
-th of January be set apart as the day of annual m 

/, That we look hack with much pleasure upon a contest with 
the mistress of the ocean, as she vauntingly oailedhe rself with her bo. - 

ful motto : 

•• The win. Is ana waves are Britain's wide domain, 
An 1 not a sail but by permission spreads." 

"When we recall to mind th sh of a member i f the British Parliam 

upon the capture of two British ships, the Grnerriere'and Mace Ionian — 
• in the early part of the war — he ■ tl at " in li 

and maintained. It can- 
not be too ' : felt, that Che Bacred spell of invincibility of the Bri 

ir< . An 1 b 
all wish the war I nate, 1 hope 1 shall n lonsidere . d- 

nary and unfe sling, that it maj not be 

Itl el OUr naval 

riority, and sm ithered In \ the di to 

i to wb are so little babitu i 

. That v.. i retro the valor and daring of 

we can look with feelin >n and pride upon the 

splendid battl ht by our soldiers on land; the 

war, on the shores of the laki . Bi i, Pike, Soott, Maoomb, J . Mil- 

I, Towson, ' ,Wool, Taylor, and a h 
: un lying fame ; while in th ■ ' 

, V in arm . 0.- 

i . what high 

, |ved the intelli ■' the ma ily and Ruooessful resistance of a sister 

cit v against an assault made by an incendiary army, that like Got] 



13 

and Vandals, plundered the Presidential mansion, and tlien destroyed it ; 
burned the national archives of great value, and would donbtless have 
committed acts of equal atrocity upon the city they were then approach- 
ing, if its brave soldiers' had not slain their leader in bis march, and driven 
back his troops for shelter to their ships. So overwhelming were the vic- 
tories of our war, that it has preserved peace even until now. It was in 
very deed a second war of independence. Is it, therefore, asking too 
much that those who participated in it should be properly cured for b\ the 
Republic I 

/.' solved, That as the persons who performed military duty in the war 
of 1S1:> and Indian wars, or the widows and heirs of those who are dead, 
are scattered over all parts of the Union, a grant to them will reach 
almost every family in the Nation ; children and grand-children will be 
interested in such bounty of Government; consequently, such a provision 
could not fail to be as popular with the whole country as any act that 
could be passed by our National Legislature. 

Resolved, That Congi lit to place the soldiers of the war of 1S12 

upon the same footing with those who served in Mexico, by considering 
them in service until paid off, as was the case with the volunteers who 
returned from Mexico, who were not deemed out of service till they 
received their pay from the general government. 

Resolved, That we specially thank the Representatives of the different 
Legislatures who have forwarded their resolutions of approval in favor of 
the grant of 160 acres of land by the National Legislature. 

Resolved, That the thanks of the meeting be tendered to the Hon. John 
Wilson, Commissioner of the Land Office, for his recommendation to Con- 
gress to grant all who were in any of our wars 160 acres of land. 

Resolved. That the members of this Convention feel themselves under 
deep obligations to the Hon. Richard Brodhead, Hon. Thos. B. Florence, 
and the Senators and Representatives of the United States who have been 
active supporters of the interests of the defenders of our countrv, and 
trust that the petition of this Convention will be granted at an early day in 
the present session of Congress. 

Resolved, That our kindest expressions of regard be tendered to those 
vigilant and untiring advocates of right and justice, the editors of the 
public press, who have so ably and efficiently sustained our cause, and who 
are still in the field in maintenance of the claims of the old soldiers or the 
widowed partners of the bosoms of such as have gone down to their 
graves. 

Resolved, That printed copies of these proceedings be transmitted to 
Gen Franklin Fiene, President of the United States, to the presiding 
officers of the two Hones of Congress, and to the Governors of tl 
ral States, with a request that they will submit the same to their respective 
Legislatures. 

It was suggested that a substantial compliment be given to the ]'v - 
dent, Judge (Sutherland, for his activity in pushing forward the chums 
of the Veterans of 1812. The Fresident declined any such compliment. 



/ 



14 

His greatest satisfaction would 1)') to pop his efforts crowned with success ; 
and such was to be the result. He could ask for, and would accept nothing 

further. 

General Xatiian RanneT, of Missouri, then addressed the Convention 
as follows : 

Fellow-Citizens rind Fellow-Soldiera : — Much has been said in relation 
to the Militia of this country, and their Bervioes in the late war with Great 
Britain. They are, indeed, the bulwark and safety of our country ; but 
while just honors have bee i paid to them, the gallant spirits who fought 
by their side with equal honor and equal success — the soldiers of the 
regular army of 1^1 2 — were not mentioned. I propose, on this occasion, 
to make a few remarks in relation to the regular soldiers of that eventful 
war 

It will be recollected by most of you, perhaps, that the soldiers and 
officers of 1812 came from the first families of the land. They entered 
the army, not as mercenaries, but from patriotic motives, with a determi- 
nation to serve their country, and drive back the myrmidons of Britain 
from our sacred soil. [Applause.] J will give you briefly the his ry of 
one of those soldiers, which, with some modifications, may be the history 
of eyery soldier in the regular army. 

There was a lad belonging to one of the most respectable families of the 
United States, who, at the age of 10 years, was the favorite of his family. 
At tl ■ he left his home and his school, ami enlisted as a private in 

the 29th Regiment for, live years. His father's brother, who was a colonel 
in the army obtained an order for the boy's discharge. The discharge 
came, and was refused, [Great applause.] A commission was also offered 
him, and that too was refused. This lad served under Gen. Wool. He 
one of the three hundred who me1 <«ov Prevost eighteen miles from 
Piatt sburg, and who cut their way, inch by inch, until tb led the 

batiks ..f the Saranac. He was one of thirty who crossed the Saraimc 
set lire with bay and tar to the under brush of dry pine directly under the 
guns of the British battery, and returned across the Saranac by floatii 
hundred yards down the stream, and fainting from the l"~s of blood. He 
bul one of a regiment through whose instrumentality, in part, the 
British Lion was made to turn in defeat from the American Baj [Ap- 

plause | This same pi r on, in the darkness of night, lei twenty men into 
a British town of 500 inhabitants, and where British guards were st 
to defend it, took three distinguished prisoners, and carried them 
an American camp, with onlj one man wound* He was 

made a - t, and afterwards a provost-marshal, that the highest 

mm commissioned officer in the army. Bui lie did not seek the life of a 

roldier as a profession, lie determined t . . serve bis country as a patriot, 

ami when national honor and national rights were vindicated, to return 

into civil life. Now, in the far West, the hid then, but man now, has 

reared an interesting family, and maintains a good name there, and com- 
mand tl n : ret and honor of his lellow-'men. [Voices — " Give US his 

name!"] I'll come to that by-and-by. 1 know, fellow-soldiers, that so 



\ 



IS 

dearlv does iliat man love fhe quiet and unostentatious position which ho 
now occupies, that were Congress, at this clay, to offer to confer upon liira 
the title of Lieutenant-General of our Army, or any otlier trust of a liko 
character, he would refuse it. If he lias served his country, it alone 
is satisfaction. lie has but discharged his duty. [Applause.] 

Fellow-soldiers, many of us will never meet each otlier again on this 
side of Jordan This meeting is interesting to me — more so than any 
which it has been my fortune to ever attend, since the scenes of that war. 
We have all fought our last fight — but we have still the warfare of life 
before us. Let us then so contend that we shall win a crown of victory, 
and he led by the eternal captain of our salvation to our last, our eternal 
home in heaven. [Great applause, and cries of " tell us the name of that 
boy."] Fellow-soldiers, he stands now before you. [Renewed applause] 
and nine cheers for Gen. Banney.] 

Col. L. C. Judson, of Pennsylvania, then addressed the Convention. 
He said : 

Fellow-Soldiers : We may well call the war of 1812, a second war of 
Independence. Principles were involved in it which were not anticipated 
in the first. Our fathers, who achieved the independence we now enjoy, 
fought not, at the commencement of their career, for a free and independent 
republic ; they fought only for the rights guarantied by the Constitution 
of Great Britain, and by the charters granted to the Colonies. They did 
not dream of Independence, but when they arrived at the glorious point 
in our history, where circumstances showed that nothing short of this 
would ever enable them to be freemen, the thoughts of obtaining freedom 
through an Independent Government, gave new vigor to their soldiers, 
and they hurried on to triumph. 

But the second War of Independence was important to confirm what 
had been admitted at the De laration of Independence, and th? peace 
which followed — the admission of Old Mother Britain that she had done 
wrong to her children, and that she was very sorry for what she had done; 
and she " permitted " — that is the word, (for she did not fully recognize 
it) — the Independence of the United States. But we had humbled her 
flag — a flag upon which victory had ever perched. 

Let me now refer to the then principal points which compelled our citi- 
zens to declare war against Great Britain in 1812. One of the stipula- 
tions of our treaty was, that the outposts of the British should afford no 
supplies of arms to the red men ; that that practice should be abandoned; 
that the agents of Great Britain should desist from employing these red 
men to massacre and butcher those upon our borders. Was that done? 
You who know the history of Wayne's campaign — to say nothing of St; 
Clair's — can answer. The tribes in the vicinity of British posti were 
supplied by British agents with arms — guns, tomahawks and knives. 
That was the policy of the British, which extended from Canada through 
to Florida. You well remember the massacres which took place; and you 
know that it was this alone, which caused Hull, at Detroit, to falter and 
tremble, and finally to surrender to the enemy. He feared the tomahawk 
and scalping-knife. This fear seemed to pervade everywhere. 



1G 

The second reason was of i ntroveTsy was 

the press-gangs from BritU tr lucn and citizens into 

British service. By this n our citizens were 

secured in the English war. Thej bad, to he sure, :•. nominal 

redress by their proving that they were citizens of the United States, but 
no opportunity was granted to make this proof. 

The third point was the violation of the national laws of neutral. 
Our oeutralj paralyzed by the desi • to crush tl 

iblic which stood in the way of monarchy. Princely Rome had, in 
ueridian B] ■ been a 1'. '1 fallen, and was in her 

darkest night of gloom. They feared and dreaded our Repi blic. 

Tli. llow-citizens, were the which led to the i ion of 

war. But, even before, that time, our flag niked. In 1807; the 

C apenkey led to lower her flag before the L 

did not declare war, for he truste 1 to pacific iations ; 

but. thanks to the treat Jehovah, the time can ns were 

nut an end to and forbearance ceased to be a virtue. The clarion of war 
I, and we asserted th< ts which had been guarantied to us 

reat applause,] and we wen- bound by all the ti 
linity, by liberty and by law, to defend th< ■ we 

empt. [Renev .] The result of that 

war of inde] ou all know. In 1813, upon the land, v with 

reverses. V<'m who were in the war know that at that time our militia, the 
bulwark of our liberty, were not in a pro] i . into the battle-field, 

and that the men who had been elected to < hire were not the men for it, 
becai se who >■ did not v ble and 

an official position. But when the arm; e orga- 

nized, the tide of battle turned and ro I I k op n th tyi hile 

t ) 1( . | of our people by the [ndians, under Proctor, were a 

... written in I< od, which time can never erase, nor 1 

[Afplau 
In !•■ ference to the connexion of the Indian tribes with that war, the 
British <:■■ at has always denied officially that thej empl 

Indians in their warfare with the United States. But proofs are not 

wanting in his 1 

'I'l, .- at Wyomi River Raisin, Fort Mims and other 

p] ac d and sanctioned by the myrmidons of the British 

,„•„.; ,,i perpetrated bj death weapons furnished by that government. 

At | ' the revolution, 28 Indian tribes were in the servii 

I . with 1-_' ; , . , < I " nn ■ ularly i I and officers com- 

\\ hen York in Canada \ one of ll 

■ parliament hou N 

On the i ■ 1782, the I •■ with 

, Q rrish, at A an inv ice of eij bt | cajps' taken by 

hi iv rri rs, : nd 

|._t ' ■ i ■■ No. 2—! - 

x, hers and J 7 old women j No. 6- 



17 

boys ; No. 7 — 211 giila"; No. 8 — 122 promiscuous and 02 infants torn 
from their mothers' wombs — which were taken by John Boyd to Col. llal- 
deman, then Governor of Canada, who sent samples to tlic King of Great 
Britain, with an address from the Seneca Chief, boasting of his services, 
and requesting more guns, tomahawks, knives, ammunition, blankets and 
provisions. This demon document was published at London, by Almon, 
in his State Papers, and is re-published by Mr. Ingersoll, of this city, in 
his valuable work on the War of 1812. Could this damning Btain of blood 
upon the proud escutcheon of Christian England he washed in an ocean of 
angels' tears for a thousand years, it would increase in redness as time 
rolled onward and can never, never, never be washed out. And this is like 
a drop in the bucket compared with the countless outrages mother Britain 
has perpetrated on the family of man. 

AYho can read these historic accounts without feeling the blood rushing 
back upon the aching heart and reversing back: again, to flush every face 
with that indignation that should burn with lightning fire to punish those 
who would indulge in barbarities of this kind! 

Brethren, I will not detain you longer. I will simply restate the can- 
which led to the war. They were the Indians, the impressment of Ameri- 
can seamen, and the violation of our neutrality. Great Britain declared 
the world to be under blockade on paper, while they had not vessels 
enough to make good their words. To show how mistaken they were, I 
need only state that we took four guns to their one during the war, and by 
which our gallant seamen covered themselves with a glory which shall 
render their names immortal. To the amazement and chagrin of John 
Bull, our brave tars snatched the ripe laurels from the '• mistress of the 
seas" — placed them on their own manly brows, there to bloom in ama- 
ranthine freshness as long as we are true to ourselves. The pcean — so long 
and triumphantly sung by England, — "Britannia rules the wave" — was 
then set to funeral music, and has drawn many bitter tears from Old 
Mother Britaiu. The second War of Independence compelled her to fully 
recognize our nationality, respect our flag, and reluctautly admit, that 
Jackson, with mostly yeoman militia, closed the sanguinary conflict in a 
blaze of glory, that shed unfading lustre on the Navy and Army of this 
great Republic of America! Shall our gallant tars and soldiers of the 
war of 1812 be rewarded? God and justice demand it.' [Great applause 
and three cheers for Col. Judso.v] 

Gen. McCalla, of Kentucky, (residing in Washington City,) being 
called upon, addressed the Convention, as follows : 

Fellow-citizens and fellow-soldiers : I did uot intend to intrude ui 
you this cveniug, but at your call, will add a few words to what has I 
said by my comrade, who has just taken his seat. The subject is on 
which I have a right to comment, lie has spoken with great feeling on 
the Indian race of this country. From the earliest period of V 
civilization to the time when the red men were driven from the soil 
our State, the blood of Kentucky has flowed freely beneath the tomahawk 
and scalping-knife of the savage ; and I can add, with truth and pride, 

2 



18 

that Kontuckians Lave given Llow for blow, and wound for wound, in ll ! 
contest. [Great applause.) Now, when 1 Lear " the poor Indian " Bpok( . 
of, I tLink of the poor white wi men and children who Lave been butcbered 1 

'.', so truly named by Senator Gwiun, " tLe accursed savages," and 1 
feel tLat I would be willing to exterminate tLe race. What are tLey but 
a blot upon tLe face of nature ? Of what use are tLey in tLe world ? II 
tLey cannot butcber white men, tLey will butcher one another, and in 
every sucb contest, I wisL botb parties a complete success. (Applause.) 

It Las been truly stated by the gentleman who preceded me, that in flic 
late war scalps were taken by virtue of British autLority. TLe Indian- 
were their allies. They were armed and sent into the field by the Briti-' 
government. More than one of their chiefs held commissions of high 
grade in the British army. Brandt, in the old war, and Tceumsch, in 
the late war, were Brigadier Generals. As to the latter, there was no: 
in that army an officer who was as much of a gentleman as wasTecumseh. 
Strange as it may seem, be was not only a great statesman, and a great 
warrior, but he was also a man of true humanity. At Dudley's defeat, 
which took place at the Rapids, opposite Fort Meigs, in Way, 1813, while 
the captive Kentuekians were being butchered by the savages, while Bri- 
tish officers stood by without interference, Teeumseh rode hastily up 
dashed in front of his warriors, scattered them right and left, and in- 
stantly stopped the massacre, and then indignantly reproached the British 
officers for their barbarity in having permitted it. (Great applause.) 

Now, fellow-soldiers, is it to be wondered at, that the people of Ken- 
tucky, and of the great West, with all these reminiscences rankling iD 
their hearts, should feel the deepest indignation at that odious Govern- 
ment. When the volunteers for the Mexican war were being raised in the 
AVest, the common expression of public feeling was regret that they were 
not intended to meet again our old enemy, who insolently calls itself our 
Mother Country. " Our Mother Country." I disown the name! It is 
not our Mother Country. ((heat applause.) Our forefathers were driven 
from it by tyranny, and went to Holland, whence they sailed to an iron 
bound shore, to seek a new home in the American wilderness. After thev 
had occupied the country, and laid the foundation of a great community, 
John Bull was very willing to send his Governors over to take chargi 
it. It is my opinion he would do so now, if we would permit him. (Laugh- 
ter and applause.) 

There i> one thing, however, which should not be forgotten. It is nc 
much with the masses of t>reat Britain we have had to contend. It is with 
monarchy and aristocracy of that nation we have fought. (Applause.. 
The people of that country are Sufficiently intelligent to support a free 
government, and to relieve themselves of the miseries under which thej 
have so long groaned — and I should rejoice to Bee a British Common- 
wealth, federal and representative like our own, planted on the ruins ol 
her monarchy and aristocracy. Then might John Mull and Brother Jona 
than stand shoulder to shoulder in the di of liberty against a world 

in arms. (( Ire it applause.) 

The war of 1812 was waged by the British iu the West, with the mos 



19 

barbarous cruelty. Hull's surrender laid open our Northwestern .frontier 
to the Savages. The troops to which I belonged, originally destined to 
reinforce him, were, by his surrender, required to cover the frontier, and 
guard it from their attacks. It was an effectual barrier, for not a murder 
was perpetrated in our rear. During all the rigor of a winter of unex- 
ampl d severity, General Winchester's command remained in the wilder- 
ness, under linen tents alone. The degree of cold will be understood by 
my New York friends, who arc present, and bj r all others who have seen 
the Falls of Niagara, when I inform them, that the boiling cauldron below 
the cataract was frozen over so firmly, as to be used by deserters from 
both armies, and lines of sentinels had to be stationed on both sides to 
prevent it; an event which has not occurred since, and no inhabitant had 
ever known it thus before. Duriug a large portion of that winter, we 
were nearly destitute of supplies, aud at one time for fourteen days we 
had not ounce of flour. During that time our only food was beef, so poor, 
that the cattle which furnished it, were slaughtered simply to prevent a 
natural death. When the butcher was ordered to slaughter them, he went 
to the General for a reinforcement ; aud on being a'sked for what purpose, 
he said they were wanted to hold the cattle up, while he could knock them 
down, as he never had killed animals which could not stand. (Laughter 
and applause.) When the beef gave out, a drove of fat hogs came into 
camp, and by way of variety, we had a change to fat pork, although still 
without bread. Many used hickory roots and slippery elm bark as sub- 
stitutes ; but, fellow-soldiers, after trying them all fully, I must express 
my decided preference for good Kentucky corn bread. (Laughter and 
applause.) 

About the middle of January, when General Winchester's command 
had reached the Rapids, a deputation of citizens, from the river Raisin, 
arrived at his camp, entreating protection from the savages, who were 
there, and threatened their destruction. With feelings of humanity, 
which did him honor, he despatched Col. Lewis, with a detachment of GOO 
men, who gallantly fought, and won the battle of the 18th January, and 
retained the position he had acquired. General Winchester arrived on 
the l'Jth, with additional force, and took the command. The enemy hav- 
ing called in all his forces, of which 1500 were savages, outnumbering our 
force more than two to one, aud having six pieces of artillery, whilst we 
had not one, returned and attacked General Winchester on the 22d 
January, and after a bloody and protracted struggle, slew or captured 
the whole detachment, except twenty-seven men, who succeeded in reach- 
ing General Harrison's quarters at the Rapids. On that occasion, as Ad- 
jutant of the detachment which remained in the pickets, I had the honor 
to bear a flag of truce, to meet one sent by General Proctor, which bore 
an order from General Winchester, then in the hands of the enemy, for us 
to surrender. Major Madison, the senior officer after the capture of our 
General, and Col. Lewis, met General Proctor at the point where the two 
flags were stationed, aud eutered into a negotiation for a surrender. The 
first, and only important condition of the capitulation was, that our 
wounded should be transported to Maiden under the protection of the 



20 

British troops, and hare all such attentions as their situation r< 

olemnly guarantied under the seal of honor of the British 
commander. How well it was r< deemed, let the page of hi- • 11 to bis 

eternal infamy. 

Immediately after the surrender, all the prisoners, except the wounded, 
were conducted on the road to Maiden some miles, and encamped, leaving a 
i and ten men as the whole guard at the River Raisin. The i 

ling the savages returned to the battle ground, without ohj< r in- 

terference on tb ■ part of G n. Proctor — and having surrounded the h< 
in which the poor victims were lying, in spite of tb mce of; 

I of the guard, who could nol arrest it, need a massacre of all those 

who were unable to march without assistance! There, fellow soldiers, was 
perpetrated a scene of barbarity unsurpassed in our history. It fixes the 
blackest stain npon the British name. The nation which could perpetrate 
or permit so barbarous an act, should be condemned to everlasting infamy. 
I hold that government responsible for every drop of precious blood which 
was then shed. It could have prevented it, Mas bound by solemn pli 
to do so, and yet permitted it, and did not punish the perpetrators. Capt. 
Hart, the brother-in-law of Henry Clay (applause), was one of those vic- 
tims, lie commanded a fine company from Lexington, who had volun- 
teered in the service. He was wounded in the knee and could not walk. 
When the butchery began. Dr. Todd, the - in charge of the wounded, 

carri t. Hart out of the house into the yard, where they proposed to 

a savage who had a horse, to carry Capt. Hart to Maiden, and he 
to do it for five hundred dollars, lie was placed on the horse, and con- 
ducted from the scene about half a mile, when they were i another 
sava conductor with violating their a: 
take any prisoner who was unable to march. 'J hey quarreled and ra 
their o shoot each other, but finally agree risoner. 

. ilart was jerked from the horse, a I on his feet, and knowing 

his fate, made no resistance, but waited until the ;e, drawing his 

tomahawk, plunged it into his head. He was scalped, and 1 fown 

to the road-side. All this was beheld by several of the prisoners, who 
were approaching from the battle -round, who have testified on oath as to 
the faOtS, and their depositions are d 1 in the proper office at 

Washington as a part of the history of the period. Thus fell the gallant 
Hart ; and with him perished the equally gallant Hickman, either of whom 

north more than a whole generation of Englishmen who ever earn.' to 
this country . 

When Prootor was reproaohed by G-eneral Winchester, in his quart 
at Maiden, I'm- not having British ti<><ip> t.> proteol the wounded, and 

British surL r eon> to attend them, he remarked •' the Indians i: 

good 8UT " The remark shows that the matter was understood, and 

was Ban by the Br3 inmander. trial by British autho- 

I approving the act, will not do t . when it is remem- 

d thai Prootor, as a reward for conduct there, was promoted from the 

Colonel to that of General, and continued to enjoy the smili 

•lis govemm nt. At last the hero of King's mountain, Isaac Shelby, then 



21 

Governor of Kentucky, rallied around hiin a band of Kentuckians, fired 
with vengeance, who pursued the retreating allies from Maiden to the 
Thames, and on the 5th October, L813, ip some slighl degree, punished 
them for their atrocities — (here a voice named General Earrison and Col. 
Johnson.) Yes — the one commanded in chief on that day with honor, 
while the other poured out his blood from five Wounds in a desperate en- 
counter with the savages. My only regret in his case is, that his laurel 
had not been stained with the blood of Proctor instead of the brave Te- 
cumseh. (Loud applause ) Proctor fled like a coward from danger, and 
thus saved himself from a doom that would have told in history. Had he 
boon taken, nothing coufd have saved him from the stake, and I confess, 
had I been there I would have aided in the transaction. I long to see an 
example made of a British commander punished properly lor a violation 
of the laws of war and of humanity. ' They can be taught in no other 
school. (Applause.) 

Not until Proctor's defeat did his government find fault with him. 
They promoted him for a successful massacre, and disgraced him for be- 
ing beaten by what he called, in his official despatch, " a cloud of Ken- . 
tucky savages." When I was paroled at Fort George not to serve against 
King George or his allies until exchanged, I asked the officer who re- 
ceived my parol, who are his allies ? lie replied, rather sternly, " his 
Majesty's allies are known." Yes, they were known in a thousand acts of 
barbarity, for the commission of which England is still indebted to us. 

Fellow-soldiers: Without boasting, and without flattery, we may say 
we have done our duty to our country, and we must soon retire from the 
field. As has been well said, we have fought our last fight. War will 
never again call us to the field. In any future contest, we can only look 
on and encourage our children, aud our children's children, by our ex- 
amples in the past, and our counsels and our prayers, to stand up like 
men, in defence of American liberty, against all assailants. That your 
examples and your precepts have not been in vain, we need no other pi 
than the history of the Mexican war. (Applause) Had you been re- 
creant in the war of 1812, you would never have read the glories of Palo 
Alto, Monterey, Bueua Vista, and a long list of triumphs unmixed with a 
defeat in the Mexican war. It was your example animated the young 
men of that war to fight to the death to uphold the honor of the stars and 
stripes. (Tremendous applause.) 

Major Peter, of Maryland, addressed the Convention as follows : — 

Comrti t Fellow-Soldiers: — I rise for the purpose of correcting an 

attempt which has been made since the War of Mexico, to give the credit 
of the introduction of the horse artillery to those who are not entitled to 
it. Mr. Jefferson, who was President of the United States in 1801, re- 
ceived a communication from Gen Davis, who had received from !<.■ 
usko, after his liberation by the King of Prussia, full charts and m 
plans and profiles, used bj Napoleon Bonaparte. I was the humble in- 
strument selected by Mr. Jefferson for the purpose of organizing the first 
corps of horse artillery in this country, which has been so efficient since 



22 

that period, and particularly in the Mexican War. In 1S07, about the 
period of Aaron Burr and the attack made by the Leopard on the CI 

e, when it was aid be involved in a war with France, 

I was instructed to go to Fort McHenry, and take command of that post, 
and organize a company of horse artillery, and repair to the city of TV 

d on the 4th of July, 1808. In 18' 9, 1 marched to Carlisle Bar- 

, to take < of the troops on the Ohio and W ppi. "When 

Newport, 1 met with Lieut. Zachary '. . then a Lieutenant in the 

■ nth Regiment of Kentucky Infantry. [Applause.] On my arrival 

in New Orleans 1 Baw Capt. Scott, now that gallant Gen ral. [Great 

applause.] Be joined ami served under me in the Army of the United 

Stal 

The speaker, in conclusion, alluded to the fact that Francis S. Key, of 
Washington, the author of the " Star Spangled Banner." had served under 
him. He made an allusion also to the fact of his having served under 
two Wasbingtons — General George Washington, the Father of his Coun- 
try — and General William "Washington, of South Carolina. [Nine cheers 
were given for Major Peter.] 

Mr. KEATING, of Baltimore, related some interesting reminiscences 
connected with the burning of the Capitol of Washington by the British 
trooj a. 

]>r. Van Pelt, of New York, addressed the Convention as follows: — 
I regard, this meeting, Fetlow-citizens and Soldiers of the War of L812, 
with very great interest. There are points connected with it which are 
calculated to diffuse a patriotic spirit throughout the lam!, so that future 
generations will be inspired by the mi of lspj, to regard more 

Bacre lly the rights which were then secured. 

It was on Monday, the 17th day of September, 17^7. in this city of 
Philadelphia, that a Convention of the people of the United -, of 

whicb George Washington was the President, met and adopted unani- 
mously ■ era! Government of the United States. When the Con- 
vention met here, they prefaced the result of their deliberations with tl 
words: '* We, the People ol the United States, in order to form a more 
Union, establish and insure domestic tranquillit; . the 
common defence, and for protection to the several Stairs, the I - - of 
Libert; to all our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for 
the I fnited Stat* s of America." 

What an important object they bad in view — Domestio Tranquillity. 
Sv agitation. Hence, in making this Constitution, they mutually ag 
to compromise, as thej could nol give to each State all the rights they 
ed. They were like thirteen hoys of a valiant and venerable father, 
and I to give and tal to live in peace together. [Laughter 

and applause. | 

And now, my friends, 1 desire to speak of hich were con- 

• 1 with the defenoe of the harbor of New Fork, when Admiral I i 
\ was below with a Bquadron of English vesscls-of-war. 1 be tnsj 

the army was a relative of the Admiral, though be 




* 23 

was a true American. One morning, when liis lady was sitting at. break- 
fast, a letter was given her from the Admiral, in which he said he should 
have the pleasure of dining with her in a few days. He bad a difficulty, 
however, in doing BO on account of having to pass the Forts at the Nar- 
rows. We therefore concluded to write to the Admiral an anonymous 
letter, saying that we had heard of his letter written to his relative on 
Broadway, in the City of New York, and we hoped that, on the day he 
was to dine, we should have red-hot halls to give his squadron for break- 
fast. He got the letter, and his answer was, "Egad! it won't answer 
for us to penetrate into the harbor of New York!" and away he went to 
Washington. [Laughter and great applause.] 

This Convention is also important in forming a re-union of such as 
were formerly acquainted with each other in time of war, in looking at 
each other's faces, and to cherish still more a fraternal good feeling. 

[Three cheers were given for Dr. Van Pelt ] 

Gen. Miller, of Pennsylvania, made a touching allusion to the change 
which had come upon them. When they met on the tented field they were 
in the glow and vigor of youth ; now the frost of forty winters had sil- 
vered their locks. The speaker next alluded to their claims which they 
urged upon Congress, to the influence of their example even to the pre- 
sent time, the deeds which they had accomplished by their arms as being 
but testimony in favor of the justice of that which they asked. In con- 
clusion, he alluded to the fact that probably this would be their last meet- 
ing upon earth, yet he believed that they would meet again in Paradise. 

Mil. Johnson, Washington City, made an eloquent speech, embracing 
many interesting reminiscences of the Avar of 1812. During its delivery 
he was frequently interrupted by applause. 

Mi:. L. W. RTCKMAN, of New York, also addressed the Convention in 
an interesting speech. 

Col. J. C. Montgomery, of Philadelphia, announced that Dr. Wm. 
Gibson, of the Pennsylvania University, would examine the wounds of 
the Veterans of 1812, as required by the Government, and would give 
them certificates gratuitously : he moved also the appointment of a com- 
mittee to consist of nine, to devise means to organize a National Society 
of the Snhliers of 1812, to meet on the 4th of July, at Independence Hall, 
at Philadelphia. The motion was unanimously carried. 

Whercupou the President appointed the following persons: — Colonel 
John C. Montgomery, Gen. Adam Diller, Jacob Frick, George 
Emeriok, Peter II w, ('apt. J. II. Fisler, Col. L. C. Jcdson, Jacob 
Scueetz, Joel 13. Sutherland. 

Resolved^ That the thanks of this Convention be presented to the Select 
and Common Councils of the Gity of Philadelphia, for the permission so 
promptly and courteously granted to the Committee of Arrangements t3 
org i dz ■ the Convention in the venerated Hall of Independence. 

Rt solved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered to the Hon. 
John K.. Kane, for permitting us to use the United States Court Room, 



24 

the reception of the delegates; and to Col. Wy-wbtoop, T\ S. Mar- 
shal, for l.i- politeness and zeal in carrying into effect the wishes of 
Judge Kane. 

. That the than". ivention be presented to Judge 

Oswald Thompson, for permitting us to have the use of nis Court 

in, for the accommodation of the delegafc 

The resolutions -were again- read and unanimou pted ; and, on 

mot: Committee, consisting of Peteb Hay, Hon. Gteo. G-. Leiper, 

Gen. John Davis, Geo. N. B wnky, .John S. Gallagher, Esq., and 
Col. Henry Raymond, was appointed to revise aud prepare them for 
publication. 

Major McNlER offered the following resolution, which was adopted : — 

wived. That the unanimous thanks of this Convention he tendered 

to the President thereof, for his able and dignified discharge of duties 

as the presiding officer of the Convention, and that he be requested to 

furnish a copy of his address for publication with the proceedings. 

tes of thanks were then tendered to Gen. Haiqht, the first Vice 
President, and to Rev. Dr. Van Pelt, the Chaplain. 

The following resolution was offered by Judge SUTHERLAND, and, on 
ion, adopted : — 

Resolved, That those States which have not vet acted in relation to the 
construction of a monument in Independence Square, be respectfully re- 
quested to take the necessary steps to carry that great object into ei 

Gen. MlLTENBERQER, of Maryland, offered the following, which, on 
motion, was adopted : — 

/; wived, That it be, and is hereby recommended, to all I ho par- 

ticipated in the war of L812, to assemble in their respective Congressional 

nets, and memorialize their immediate r 
use all their influence to promote the objects of this C m en t ion. 

• following resolution, offered by ('apt. John W. Mickle, of New 
Jersey, was, on motion, adopted : — 

That the President of this Convention be directed to appoint 
mmittee of not less than three from each State, (the President to be 
one of said (Jommi eed to Washington to org I - to 

grant the claims of the soldiers of 1812, in accordance with the re* 
tions adopted by this Convention. 

COMMITTEE. 

Virginia. — John Jamieson, Barton Campbell, John S. 

Maryland. — Con. .1. Miltenberger, Maj. <■ I Vlaj. Dryden. 

District of Columbia, — Col. John S. Williams, Gen Robert Axmstro 
Dr. William Jones, Col. McNier, Capt Co ta Roche. 

Kentucky. — Cen. William 0. B Ltler, Gen. John 31. MoCalla, Capt. Levi 
L. Todd. 

Ool. John W. Mickle, Stacy B. Kirkbride, Hou. 1 

-I. Clark, lion. John 8. Darcy, Col. liougliloti. 






25 

Massachusetts. — Hon. Robert Keith, Col. S. D. Harris, Gen. Samuel 
Chandler. 

Delaware. — John M' Clang, David C. Wilson, Gen. James Wolf. 

Penn&yhania.-ZRon, J. B. Sutherland, Peter Hay, Gen. John Davis, 
Jolm II. Brinton. 

Ohio, — W. Conditt, Joseph W. Larwell, Dr. Brainerd, Henry Scheets. 

Louisiana. — Col. William Christy, Gren. Plauehe, Thos. Mellon. 

Missouri.— Gen. N. Ranney, Col. W. W. Palfrey, J. 13. Brant, Elihu 
II. Sbepard, A. Fernandez. 

Texas. — Seth Ingrain. 

Iowa. — Andrew ilorton. 

California.— Col. Bryant, T. W. Sutherland. 

On motion ordered, that the President of the Convention be one of the 
Committee, and that Vice President HaTOHT appoint the Committee from 
New York. 

Resolved, That the thanks of the Convention be tendered to the Cornet 
Band for the delightful music with which they have enlivened the pro- 
ceedings of the day 

Resolved, That the thanks of the Convention be tendered to those Bail- 
road Compauies that have agreed to pass the delegates to and from the 
Convention, free of charge. 

Resolved, That the cordial thanks of the Convention be presented to 
the Volunteer Company of National Guards, commanded by Capt. Lyle, 
for the generous tender of their services as an escort to the Veterans of 
New York, and for the handsome manner in which they performed that 
duty. 

Resolved, That the thanks of the Convention be tendered to JOSEPH 
Gr, f.nat, Esq., Proprietor of the Omnibus Lines on Second and Fourth 
Streets, for his liberal and courteous treatment of the Veteran Corps of 
New York, in conveying them from the Depot, in Kensington, to the City 
of Philadelphia. 

Resolved, That copies of these proceedings be sent to the Governors of 
the several States, with a recpuest that they will lay them before their re- 
spective Legislatures. 

Judge Sutherland said : — 

It is especially gratifying to me to see this spacious Saloon so densely 
crowded with the Veterans of the War of 1812, gathered here from all 
parts of the Union. 

It bespeaks in the most emphatic manner their feelings in relation to this 
patriotic movement Hundreds could not conveniently attend, who have how- 
ever, sent their letters hither, warmly commending the objects of the < '(inven- 
tion to the consideration of the country at large. Many thousand poor and 
I widows who could not be invited to this distant point from their homes, 
are doubtless now sending up fervent prayers to Heaven for I -ess 

of the cause. It is for those widows, and the decrepit old fathers, that 
the proposed pensions and grant of lands are especially important, liut 
what adds vastly to the pleasure of this meeting, is the fact that the ob- 



26 

jccts of our Convention arc so eminentby popular with the people everv- 
where. "The true mouth-piece" of the nation, the public press, that is 
never weary in " well doing," has, with one voice, spoken throughout the 
whole length and breadth of this country, in favor of the grant of 1G0 
acres of land to the men of 1S12, their widows, and to the children where 
the parents are dead. 

The Legislatures, too, of the respective States, have right promptly 
passed resolutions pressing I ia to do justice to the application of the 

old soldier or his aged widow, tottering on the confines of the grave. 

For myself, therefore, I cannot lvelp believing that our request will be 
granted, and I trust by the unanimous vote of both Houses, and without 
delay. 

Every day carries clown to the tomb some one who should have been 
satisfied with the justice of Congress before he was called hence. During 
the last Congress I waited most anxiously, at Washington, advocating 
this measure ; but it was a short session, and did not finally pass. It was 
not, however, too short for the Honorable Senate to give the bill its dis- 
tinguished approval : and we tender the members of that body our hearty 
thanks for their vote. From all that has been said and written upon this 
question, as well as from the potent force of public opinion, as given out 
by the press, and the numberless meetings held all over the country, and 
the petitions presented to Congress, it seems but just to Buppose that 
both I bin ress will immediately take up the bill and pass it into 

a law — especially as it is so just an application. It merely places the 
men of 1812, and the children of such as are dead, upon a tooting with 
the recruits enlisted to go to Mexico just before the close of the war, and. 
who only served a week or two, and ye1 received 1G0 acres of land. 

This meeting is but the first act in the groat drama of our future. The 
annual meetings of th ' ciation of Veterans in the several States on 
the Anniversary of the Battle of Now Orleans, to be held hereafter, m 
obedience to the resolutions of this Convention, will tend largely to Beoure 
justice to any claims we may wish to present to C • They will 

also keep alive the good fellowship of the men towards each other, who 



'd in the same war together 
This first step - well, therefore, for the future. But we nius 



stand up vigorously and vigilantly to our rights, and keep th< ball i 
motion 

Many of the officers and solder- of the Revolution suffered seriously 
from u it keeping a perfect record of their services befi re the national eye. 

It is my wish and desire to prevent Buofa difficulties from interfering in 
after times with the just claims of the men of the - ood War of Inde- 
pendence, their widows and children. These State Associations will be 
especially servi ; .n this particular It i- to be imped, therefore, that 

they will be forthwith formed in every State in the Onion. 

In .New York there is a large brotherhood of Boldiers moving in this 

• •. and in Pennsylvania we have a □ meroue fraternity, active and 

alive in furtherance of the rights of the Boldier. Not less than fifty 

thousand individuals are residents of Pennsylvania, who have an interest 



\ 



27 

in these proceedings ; and here, in the city and county of Philadelphia, tl 
must be at least twenty thousand persons directly concerned in, and 
anxiously hoping for, the success of our application. 

It is now a little more than three years since I first suggested, in a 
letter published in the " Pennsylvania Inquirer," the propriety of the 
soldiers of the war of 181 2 demanding one hundred and sixty acres of 
hmd. in lieu of the miserable pittance of forty or eighty acres granted under 
the Bounty Act of 1850; and we witness to-day its progress toward suc- 
cess. i 

When I published my letter, I promised that I would never abandon^^/ 
that recommendation till it received the saiYe'tion of the two Houses of 
Congress, and I will endeavor to keep my pledge. 

It is not to be anticipated that we should do all -that is desirable at a first 
meeting. Much, however, is to be expected from this assembling of old 
friends together. It will inspire all with confidence, and will give a tone 
and force to all our resolutions adopted this day, by the largest Convention 
that ever was field in this country. 

At our next national meeting here, I shall, if alive, propose that medals 
be struck off and delivered to each survivor of the War of 1812 — the 
device to be fixed upon when we meet again. It will be a species of tes- 
timony that may hereafter be important, not only to fathers, but will be 
preserved by children with cherished fondness. 

To have been a soldier in the War of 1812, will every day become more 
and more honorable. The men of that day fought the battles of this gene- 
ration. Had they not successfully closed up that contest with Great Britain, 
not a man now living of this feneration but would have been called long 
ere this to the battle field against overbearing England. 

Our second War of Independence, with its splendid victories, bound 
England over to keep the peace, which has already continued for 40 years. 
But besides all this, we have paid the immense national debt of that era, 
and have handed over to the present generation, the happiest, richest and 
most magnificent government in the world, with millions of acres of public 
domain, and with a halo of military glory shed upon the nation in the M ar 
of 1812, which will never grow dim with years, but continue to gather 
new lustre with the flight of Time. America, how full of promise is thy 
onward course ! 

" As the sands, shalt thou become — 
Thy youth is swift as mom, when night must fade, 
The multitudinous Earth shall sleep Leueaih thy shade." 

After which, the Convention was closed with an eloquent and imrres- 
sivc prayer by the Rev. Dr. William 11. Dkwitt, of Pennsylvania, who 
is himself a Veteran of the War of 1812. 

On motion, the Convention adjourned sine die. 



t an 



\ 



23 

It ought to have been stated, in its proper place, that Independence 
Hull being inconveniently crowded, the Convention adjourned to the Chi- 
nese Museum, the Del marching in procession, with military m 
Before organizing, a delegation arrived from the Veteran Corps of Balti- 
more, which was received with nine cl . ihe other members risi 
The Veteran Corps of New York, under the command of Col. Raymond, 
arrived immediately afterwards, and were similarly greeted. This dele- 
action was in undress uniform^/ They were met at the Depot by the Com- 
mittee of Reception, G : : < > i ; * ; i-: Emerick, Esq., Chairman. The Conven- 
tion shortly afterwards adjourned to meet at the Museum in the evening, 
when and where, after an appropriate prayer by the Rev. Dr. Van PjbLT, 
of New Fork, the speeches herein presented, were delivered. 

The Committee of Publication are indebted to the able report of the 
New York l)<iihj Times for the remarks of several of the gentlemen who 
addressed the Convention, and to the Philadelphia papers for some of the 
details of the proceedings which might otherwise have escaped their notice. 
It ought also to be added that the Convention are largely indebted to the 
press generally for their prompt publication of the proceedin. 






. APPENDIX 



Many interesting letters were received by the Convention from delegates 
and other soldiers of the war of 1812, expressing regret for their inability 
to be present, and some of them containing valuable suggestions, most of 
which, however, had been anticipated, and are incorporated in the bill 
now before Congress! It would have afforded the Committee of Publica- 
tion sincere pleasure to have printed all these letters; but the space 
assigned them forbids it, and they have selected the following, which, they 
do not doubt, will be perused with interest, by the members of the Con- 
vention, and their fellow-citizens generally. 

Arlington House, Jan'y Gth, 1854. 
My Dear Friend and Old Companion in Arms : — 

I received the letter requesting me to accompany you to Philadelphia, 
&c, &c. It would give me pleasure to go with you to Philadelphia or 
anywhere else, but heavy domestic affliction and long illness have so 
worn me down that I am incapable of going from home at this time. 

I wish you and your associates every success in your meeting on the 
8th. A very few of us are now the Veterans of the Army of 1798. 
Walbach, a Col. Church, of New York, formerly aid to Hamilton, yourself 
and myself, are all that I know of that composed the last army that Wash- 
ington commanded. 

Health and happiness attend the remnant of your days, my dear old 
friend, and God's blessing attend you always. 

Faithfully, yours, 

GEORGE W. P. CUSTIS. 

To Major Peter. 



New Orleans, Pec'r 23d, 1853. 
Dear Sir : 

You will sec from the enclosed report, what action the Louisiana Vete- 
rans of the "War of 1812 have taken in regard to the National Convention, 
to be held in Philadelphia on the 8th of January next ; but it is with 
feelings of extreme regret I have to inform you that at this inclement sea- 
son of the year, but few Southerners have the courage to go so far north, 
particularly those who on this ever memorable day thirty-nine ye 
aided in the successful defence of the "Beauty and Booty" of our noble 
City. It will devolve upon you, therefore, as one of this now greatly 
reduced Patriot Band } to represent them at the contemplated meeting, 



30 

■!i cannot fail to be one of tlic most int . resting which has taken place 
since the glorious termination of our "second War of Ind< ice." 

Although the ostensible object of the < onvention appears to be that of 
taking tl yinitiati petitioning of C is for 

furt hor grants of land to the survivors of the War in question, yet I must 
ime that other measures will be taken which will lead to the formation 
of fraternal associations, as was done at the close of the Revolutionary 
War. and by which the names of those survivors would be handed down 
to posterity in a proper historical form. 

My heart will be with you on that glorious occasion and day, which 
ought to be, and no doubt will be celebrated in "Independence Hull,'''' and 
whatever proceedings may take place, and whatever measures may be 
adopted, I wish to be considered as being present, and acting through you 
in my capacity of Chairman of the Louisiana Delegation ; and I will with 
pleasure perform any b< snt with my locality which the Con- 

vention may assign tome. 

I also end >u a copy of the proceedings of a previous meeting of 

the Veti rans of L814 and L815, the greater portion of which I think may 
be very pro] erlj evoked in the deliberations which may take place. With 
these sentiments, 

I remain, truly and respectfully, 

. Your old friend and uVt servant, 

W.M. CHRISTY. 
To Thomas Mki.i.ox, Esq , Ph ladelphia. 



Bedford, January 7th, 1>">1. 

S\Ir. Pr , and Gentlemen of the Co 'on : — 

It was the pleasure of the Old Soldiers of the War of 1 812, Bom 
since officially announced in the " Bedford Gazette," to designate me their 
// I ga ■ from Bedford County, to represent them in the 8th of January 
Convention, at Philadelphia. It is with the must unfeigned regrel that 
. tud long protracted Chronic Rheumatism, {which has been 
my " Bunk and Messmate" since the Campaigns of 1814, in Upper Cana- 
da,) it will not be inmypower to gratify either these meritorious warw 

rans or myself. Set, if 1 be absent in I .1 shall be with 

in the spirit, humbly hoping your deliberations maj result in rauch 
to a i ;' men in every arm of Bervioe at a time that tried men 

an 1 thai our Glorious Republic may never forget that '• the laborer !•• wor- 
thy of his hire." 

Fraternally yours. 

LAWRENCE TALIAFERRO, 

Late 1st Lieut. \st Regiment Infantry, Brown'* Jlrmy, 



31 

St. Loop, Dec'r 28, 1853. 
General N. Ranney : — 

Dear Sir : — In accordance with your suggestion, I state with pleasure 
that I entered the army as private in Oapt. II. G. Armstrong's 23d Regi- 
ment U. S. Infantry in January, 1813 — First Sergeant in said Company 
12th of February of that year — Sergeant Major to that Regiment soon 
after — appointed" an Ensign in July, 1814, at Quecnston, U. ('., by Gen. 
Jacob Brown — breveted First Lieutenant U. S. A., 17th September, 
1814 — promoted to Second Lieutenant in the line, 1st October, 1814, 
and so remained to the close of the War in June, 1815. 

With my best wishes and the prosperity of the old officers of the "War 

of 1812, 

I am, yours, truly, 

J. B. BRANT. 



St. Louis, January 2d, 1854. 
Gen. Nathan Ranney : 

Dear Sir : — T understand that it is your intention to be present at a 
Convention of the survivors of the Soldiers of the War of 1812, to be held 
on the 8th of the present month, at Philadelphia. It must be a most in- 
teresting meeting, of which we have no example. 

It would afford me the greatest pleasure to be present and participate, 
but I cannot. 

It, however, afFords me pleasure to know that, after the lapse of forty 
years, those war and time-worn patriots, who stood firm, shoulder to 
shoulder, in those days, while they were young, for principles, will now 
embrace each other, and face to face, congratulate each other, that 
though their cheeks are furrowed by age, and their locks whitened by 
time, their country is still young and progressive; that the principles for 
which they then contended are the principles of their country, and will 
be sustained by our posterity. And though they may see each other's 
faces no more, their acts have been united for the honor and glory of our 
country, which, as yet, their sons and daughters have never lessened. 

Permit me, dear sir, to say, I was a private in Capt. Ogilvie's Company 
of Volunteers, in Col. Sol. Van Rensselaer's Division, on the 13th Oct., 
In 1 2, and under the immediate command of Lieut. Gansevoort ;. was of 
the party who ascended and carried the heights of Qneenston. 

I served in other companies during the war, and was discharged Feb'y 
11th, 1815. 

I was also a private in Company A of 1st Regiment of Missouri Vol- 
unteers, under Gen. Taylor, in the war with Mexico. 

I was also, I thiuk, the first Captain of Volunteers who was mustered 
into service (to serve during the war) with Mexico, and was discharged at 
Independence, Oct. 9th, 1848. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

ELIHU H. SHEPARD. 



, Illinois, January 3d, 1 
of the War of I 
I 

Batl ' •■ 
• ■ learn, 
it will ei 
. ! - in the 
Regiment, Col. Bi 

If you r officer 

• ■I i .1 oommnni 

. for his country, and 
<mi1\ bat the ' iment will I jive him, if 

•!), mid who is in i the aid which he and wh 3 his 

wan to his fellow- , and hopes their :.- . _ 

.i the object they desire. 

Yours, sincerely, 

.WILLIAM WALLACE. 



To the Hon , (he Senate and House of Representatives of the U 
Si '.i Congress assembled : 

The undersigned respectfully memorialize the two Hon - 
. i favor of the grani of one hundred and sixty acres 1 to all 

who wars of the country, an i respectfully ask that 

ion may be promptly acted upon by the members ther 
return to their constituen -. y will ; 
bat the said grant has 

And they respectfully remain, &C 



lent of the Convention of the defenders of our d ooun- 

! in Philadelphia, on the Anniversary of the \ ; torj 

How the foregoing proceedings to go forth! to the publio 
will . - Hay, Esq., one ■ - of the 

ul supen ision of tlnir p 
tention in preparing them f< r the pul 

.!. B. SUTHERLAND, 



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